Body exerciser



Patented Dec. 1, 1942 UNITED STAT-S OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to body eXerciser in the nature of a device particularly formed to receive the weight of the human body and act thereon as the user applies different parts of the body to the exerciser in such fashion as to break down fatty tissue and massage away surplus liesh.

One of the important aims of this invention is to provide a specially constructed eXerciser upon Which the user may rest a desired portion of his body as the eXerciser is propelled along a supporting surface in a manner as to compress certain zones and force outwardly from a point of greatest pressure, the fleshy part of the body being treated.1

A still further aim of this invention is the provision of an exerciser of the aforementioned character that comprises a barrel-like body upon which is mounted resilient annuli, the inherent character of which is such as to maintain the said body in a normal position Where it will roll along a supporting surface with only the medial portion of greatest diameter engaging said surface.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide an eXerciser for the human body which is of such shape and form as to strengthen the muscles of the user without injurious effects and within the minimum length of time.

Another aim of the invention is the provision of a body eXerciser in the nature of a barrel-like body, which body has thereon suitable stops and a scale, both of which cooperate in indicating to the user the distance which the body will travel, which scale and stop are employed to predetermine the amount of travel, depending upon the portion of the body being treated.-

This invention has for a still further object the provision of a body exerciser which includes a track to support .the movable member and to indicate the distance of travel through which the barrel-like body moves when in use.

A large number of specic objects will appear during the course of the following specication, referring to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. '1 is a top plan view of a body exerciser made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the same.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary sectional view taken on line llI-Ill of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View through a 'body eXerciser ma-de in accordance with a modified form of the invention and including a track.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional View through the assembly shown in Fig. 4, taken on line V-V thereof; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the frame illustrating the movable stop and scale.

'I'he preferred form and one modification of the invention is shown in the illustrated embodiment of the exerciser and the manner of producing the same will become apparent to one skilled in the art when it is understood that the body portion of the eXerciser comprises a body 6, which is sym- .metrical and barrel-like in form so that the greatest diameter is on a transverse medial plane intermediate the ends. This area of greatest diameter is indicated by the numeral 8, and as the ends of body 6 are approached, the diameter thereof progressively decreases. 4

Ends or heads I0 are positioned to close body 6 so that it becomes a hollow member relatively light in weight and easy to manipulate.

A specially formed hoop I2 circumscribes body 6 adjacent to each end respectively thereof, and each hoop carries an annulus I4 which is molded or otherwise formed of resilient material such as rubber. The material from `which each hoop I4 is formed, is preferably sponge rubber of medium resiliency so that as body `6 tips, the annuli will be compressed and tend to return the body to a normal position where its longitudinal axis is on -a true horizontal plane. Thus, the muscles of the user are tensed and strengthened as balance is maintained and as the body of the user is engaged with a force greater at a given point than at any place around said point of engagement. Hoops I2 are U-shaped in transverse cross section and grip the inner marginal portionsv of the respective annuli I4 as illustrated in Fig. 3.r

A ring-shaped scale I6 is mounted on body 6 l'adjacent to each resilient annulus I4 and indicia, such as illustrated at I8, is engraved or otherwise placed thereon so that the pointers 20 of the proximal stops 22 may cooperate therewith in indicating to the operator the distance which body E will roll during the exercising period.

There is a stop 22 slidably mounted upon each of the specially formed hoops I2. Each stop comprises a U-shaped yoke 2-4 which straddles the annulus I4 and frictionally engages the outturned legs of hoop I2.V Grips 26 on yoke 24 may be employed by the operator When the stop is to be adjusted and pointer 20 may be merely a continuaiin or an inwardly directed portion of inner grip Yoke 24 has a radially extended bumper 28 secured therethrough through the medium of bolts orv similar elements 30, and the outer end of bumper 28 is provided with angled faces 32 so that when body 6 is rolled to the position shown in dotted lines (Fig. 2) from the position shown in full lines, bumper 28 will strike the supporting surface and preclude further travel.

In operating the body exerciser, shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the distance of travel of body 5 should be great enough to contact all portions of the body being treated. As an example, when strengthening the abdominal muscles, the distance of travel of body 6 should be approximately fifteen inches. When body 6 is in the set position, the scales I6 should be arranged so that zero is uppermost or on the highest portion of the body 6. Pointers 20 are then moved to above the figure fifteen on scale I6 by sliding yoke 24 along hoop I2. Rotation in one direction will then be limited to the desired amount and there will be no danger of the operator gliding forward over the top of body 6, a distance greater than desired or recommended.

The form of body exerciser shown in Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive, comprises a body |00 similar to that employed in constructing the exerciser shown in saddle |02 may be employed.

Body rolls upon a track generally designated by the numeral I I0 and which includes opposed strips I|2 that rest directly upon thesupporting surface, such as the floor and along which extend flanges I I4 a distance apart slightly greater than the overall length of body |00. Protecting strips of sheet metal II lie along the inner and upper edges of flanges IM and upon these strips I I is engraved or otherwise marked, a scale IIS to indicate the distance of travel of body |00. Any suitable marker or pointer on body I0!) will indicate the starting point.

Stops at each end of track I|0 and at each `side thereof, have an arcuate face |22 conforming to the radius of the outer face of body |00. These stops are carried by the frame and one set thereof is longitudinally adjustable through the employment of slots |24 that receive bolts |26. Thumb nuts |28 allow releasably securing stops |20 in the desired position along the track.

It is desired to start the body from one end of track IIO where it rests against stops |20 at said end and to limit the rolling movement by afhxing the adjustable stops at a point along track III) selected bythe operator. Mark |30 may be brought into register with indicia |32 on scale ||8 to reveal the distance the body moves. The exerciser may be used by the operator in `many ways, for example, the back, sides and abdomen may be strengthened and reduced. Other exercises well-known to one skilled in the Having thus described 'the"invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A body exerciser of the character described comprising a barrel-like symmetrical body having its greatest diameter on the medial tr y sverse plane and progressively decreasing in d ameter as the ends are approached; an annulus circumscribing the body at each end respectively thereof, the diameter of the annuli being slightly less than the greatest diameter of the body at the center thereof; a hoop-shaped scale mounted on the body adjacent to one of the annuli; and a stop carried by the body in operative relation with the scale.

2. A body exerciser of the character described comprising a barrel-like symmetrical body having its greatest diameter on the medial transverse plane and progressively decreasing in diameter as the ends are approached; an annulus circumscribing the body at each end respectively thereof, the diameter of the annuli being slightly less than the greatest diameterof the body at the center thereof; a scale mounted on the body adjacent to one of the annuli; and a stop slidably supported by the last mentioned annuli in operative relation with the scale. y

3. A body exerciser of the character described comprising a barrel-like symmetrical bodyhaving its greatest diameter on the medial transverse plane and progressively decreasing in diameter as the ends are approached; an annulus circumscribing the body at each end respectively thereof, the diameter of the annuli being-slightly less than the greatest diameter of the body at the center thereof; a scale, having indicia thereon, mounted on the body adjacent to each of said annuli; and a stop slidably supported by'each annulus in operative relation with the proximal respective scale.

4. A body exerciser of the character described comprising a barrel-like symmetrical body having its greatest diameter on the medial transverse plane and progressively decreasing in diameter as the ends are approached; a hoop circumscribing the body at each end respectively thereof; an annulus of resilient rubber or the like around each of said hoops, the outside diameter of the annuli being slightly lessthan the outside diameter of the body at the center thereof; a scale, having indicia thereon, mounted on the body ad jacent to each of said annuli and extending around the body in close proximity to the annuli; and a stop slidably supported by each hoop,` said stop having a pointer thereon to cooperate with the scale in the manner specified.

5. A body exerciser of the character described comprising a barrel-likersymmetrical body having the greatest diameter on the medial transverse plane and progressively decreasing in diameter as the ends are approached;y an annulus of resilient material circumscribing the body at each end respectively thereof; means formed of relatively stii material for holding each annulus in place; and a stop mounted on' said means, lsaid stop projecting radially outwardly from the body beyond the annuli of resilient material. j

6. A body exerciser asdescribed in claim 5 wherein the outside diameter of the annuli is slightly less than the greatest diameter of the body at the center thereof and wherein'the' resiliency of the annuli is suiiicient to causea rebound when the body is longitudinally tipped to compress one of the annuli. H y

FRANCIS ELMQUIST, 

